A year ago today, Lennox, the American Bulldog-Labrador cross, typed as a Pit Bull, was killed in Belfast. He had never injured anyone. Lennox’s family was denied the chance to say goodbye, despite assurances they would be able to. I remember the silence in our office that day after we heard the news the battle was lost. It was difficult to concentrate on anything; we were angry and frustrated at this terrible law, but most of all sad. Sad that a dog had lost his life simply for being born to look a certain way. Hundreds of thousands of people around the world fought to save to dog who was an unofficial assistance dog to the family’s 11-year-old daughter. Rallies, protests and vigils were held in Belfast, Manchester, Bristol, London, New York City, Atlanta, Michigan, Sweden, South Africa, and many other towns and cities around the world. Victoria Stillwell offered to rehome him in the US, and Peter Robinson, Northern Ireland’s First Minister stated he didn’t agree with Belfast City Council’s decision, saying: “Suggested BCC should seriously look at (sic) rehoming option. Why exercise the order if there’s an alternative?” Days after Lennox’s death, Nando Brown and Donna Saunders hosted a Lennox Speical on their radio show with special guests Sarah Fisher, who was expert witness for the defence, Peter Tallack, prosecution witness, dog trainer Victoria Stillwell, and Jim Crosby, an ex-Florida cop and world expert on dangerous dogs. You can listen to the fascinating insight into Lennox’s trial and the Dangerous Dogs Act here: tinyurl/LennoxRadioSpecial This Saturday, peaceful protests will be held across the UK against breed-specific legislation. Permission has been granted for a protest at the heart of government in Westminster, do go along if you can. All the details are here: https://facebook/events/182621091903383/?fref=ts Dogs Today has never supported BSL and will continue to campaign against it until we get a law that doesn’t judge dogs on looks alone. Rest in peace, Lennox.
Posted on: Sun, 11 Aug 2013 08:28:28 +0000
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